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This was the scariest moment of his life. During the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a blast at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The ISIS attack claimed 15 lives, including his wife's brother. A five-month siege between the armed forces and the jihadist group in Marawi came after.

“It cannot take place again in Davao,” Pendon says.

Nine years later, the threat of IS again looms over one of the Philippines’ largest cities, during global attention over the four-week stay in the city of the suspected Bondi beach shooters, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage therapist at the night market, saw news of Bondi on the news, but as with other citizens spoken to, felt predominantly detached.

The 2016 attack is a painful recollection he is trying to move on from. A memorial for the 2016 fatalities stands in a section of the night market, looking out of place amidst the joyful environment as hundreds gathered there for meals, massages and souvenirs.

Ongoing Inquiries Amid Festive Preparations

Investigations into the Philippines activities of the father and son is happening while the mostly Catholic nation is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been adorned with a towering Christmas tree, malls are packed, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have stated the probe into their activities is continuing and the exact reason for their stay is still uncertain.

“It is just regrettable that legitimate grievances are exploited by radicalism. Regrettably, the reputation of brutal violence was incorrectly tied to the region's image,” noted Karlos Manlupig, executive director of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Security Legacy

Lorenzo is also certain that no one could carry out another terror attack in the city for a long time ruled by the family of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both notable and notorious – was built on heavily policing Davao through tough law and order and anti-drug policies. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand checking bags.

The national government has denied suggestions that it was a terrorist training ground for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of conflict and disenfranchisement that has seen some Islamic independence movements forge ties with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups still exist, security officials say they are limited in size and diminished.

Police Piece Together Whereabouts

What is certain, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two stayed within the city nor received combat training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Police have said they are “taking seriously” the duo's visit in the country as they map out the actions of the pair during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Police say there are many locations the two could have visited or met contacts in the area. Scores of businesses sit between the GV Hotel and a local popular fast food chain, where they were reported to buy their meals.

Police are analyzing surveillance tapes and following transport records to reconstruct their whereabouts, and that any potential lead are being explored.

Worries in the Region Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with extremist groups in 2017, inhabitants are worried that fresh associations with terrorism could lead to heightened securitisation and increase discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must establish what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be carefully probed and the intel should provide transparent and factual answers without converting questions into accusations against the region or its people,” he said.

Manlupig praised local initiatives in enhancing the security situation in Davao City but he said “it is not true that radicalism was eradicated”. He said the country must confront socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that drive the reasons behind the violence while “persist in promoting tolerance and steer clear of discrimination and division”.